Rivets

Will paced between two trees. He wasn't sure what to think.

He wasn't feeling much like a son of Ares right now. His half-brothers were all excited to fight. His half-sisters were upset that they couldn't. He didn't want to at all. but he figured he'd have to eventually. He wanted to talk to someone about it, but Abigail, his tough daughter of Hephaestus best friend, was nowhere to be found.

"Abby," he muttered as he pased, "where in Hades are you?"

"I like to think I'm not dead, Will," Abigail's familiar voice declared.

"Huh?"

"You asked where in Hades I was," Abigail reminded him.

"Abigail, you know what I meant," said Will. She chuckled. He continued, "Did you hear? It's official - the US is at war with Japan."

"I'm sure we'll be fighting in Europe before too long, too," replied Abigail.

Will nodded. "While the attack was terrible, I still don't see why we have to go to war. This is 1941! Has no one figured out a way to solve problems more diplomatically than killing each other?"

"I never thought I'd hear that kind of talk from a son of the war god," said Abigail.

Will leaned against one of the trees - the one with the little sign that said "Joseph", although it was covered up by snow - and stared at her for a moment. "Abby, you know me well enough to know how much I hate fighting. My siblings think I'm crazy."

Abigail laughed. "I know, I know."

Eventually, Will did join the army. He was sent to help the fight in Europe. Abigail and Will wrote to each other as often as they could.

Will,

Your sister Rita and I decided to apply for jobs at one of the factories that's making planes and tanks for the war. Wish us luck! I hope we get the jobs - it'll be nice to know we're helping.

Are you alright over there?

Sincerely,

Abigail

Abby,

I'm fine for right now. You'll be the first over at Camp to know if I'm not. Whatever happens, you're in charge of telling my sisters.

And as for your job idea… It sounds dangerous, Abby. I don't know if I like it.

- Will

Will,

You never like my brilliant ideas! Not that it matters, we got the jobs! I'm a better tank mechanic than any mortal man could be. My boss agrees - he said my work is faster and better than the man whose job I took over when he left.

And please don't say things like that, Will. You're going to come back safe and sound, and when you do, we'll have a party to celebrate the end of the war.

I can't wait until you come back.

Missing you terribly,

Abby

Abby,

I'm not surprised you're better than the men. You're better at mechanical things than most everyone at camp. Just be careful, alright?

I was just being realistic, Abby. But I'm hoping to make it back home.

I can't wait until I go back home, either.

Missing you as much as you miss me,

Will

Will,

Your "realistic" is my "depressing". You'll make it home. You have to.

I'd miss you too much otherwise.

I miss you now.

- Abby

Abby,

I'll remember that.

I'm doing my best to come back in one piece.

Maybe this will be over soon.

I want you to promise to stay in one piece, too. So be careful at that job of yours.

- Will

Will,

I'm always careful, Will. You know that.

My sisters say hello, by the way. They've been pestering me to tell you that for ages, but this time they're reading over my shoulder, so I have to.

Come home soon, Will. I miss you.

- Abby

Abby,

I know, I know, just reminding you.

Hello Hephaestus Cabin! Stop reading over Abby's shoulder.

I don't really get a say in when I go home, but I miss you, too.

- Will

Will,

Really I'm not sure how to say this. Or rather, write this.

Yesterday, there was an accident at work. We were training some new workers - teaching them how to use the equipment and such - and one of them accidentally knocked some rather heavy tank pieces off of where we were working.

Abby was with another new employee below us. We called to them, and Abby pushed the new woman out of the way, but wasn't fast enough to get herself clear, too.

She was crushed, but she saved the other woman's life.

I'm so sorry, Will.

- Rita

Will stood there frozen, reading and rereading Rita's letter. He couldn't believe it. If either of them was to die during this war, it was supposed to be him! He was the one fighting, after all.

Abby couldn't be gone. She couldn't be.

"Another letter from that Abby girl?" asked his friend Mitchell, looking at the page in Will's hand. "What'd she say this time?"

Will couldn't respond. He held the piece of paper out to Mitchell. After a moment's hesitation, Mitchell took it and read Rita's letter.

"Oh," he said quietly when he finished. His ever-present smile was gone. "Sorry, Will."

Will didn't say anything. He just nodded and took the letter back.

"Are you alright?" Mitchell asked.

Will stared down at the letter in his hand. He knew that Abby would want him to say yes, move on and go home.

"I will be."

Rita was helping the Hephaestus Cabin girls gather up all of Abigails things when she found Abby's last, unsent letter to Will.

Will,

Thanks - they've stopped pestering me now. They're as anxious to see all of you guys come home.

So don't do anything stupid!

We're training some new employees at work today. It should be interesting.

And I know what your response to that will be - "Be careful, Abby!"

You know I always am, Will.

You be careful. I hate to think what would happen if you weren't.

I miss you, Will!

Your friend,

Abby

A/N - There's one [and maybe another little bit but that one doesn't count] more after after this one. Should go up tomorrow-ish. That's where the explanation for the title is.